I'm an artist working with moku hanga, traditional Japanese woodblock printing

23 August 2005

Reflection - Still the Same Block

This is the same block I've been using since I started the print, but now I've carved it. I drew the rings in pencil right on the wood and then carved. All the carving was done with u-shaped gouges. They're easy to use and they seem to make a softer line than the straight knife known as the to. As before, I printed one side of the paper and then turned it 180 degrees to print the other side.

I've been wondering if I would ever be fast enough at moku hanga to actually complete an illustration assignment in this medium. Because I do so much editorial work, my deadlines are very tight, often a week or less. But this little exercise is making me think it might be possible.

3 comments:

Thank you so much for sharing all of this wonderful detail. I'm very interested in starting woodblock printing because of the beautiful things you have done.

I'm curious, though. If you carved the circles out (so they are the "indents"), why are they darker? Or, do I have that backwards, and you actually carved everything around the circles so they are raised?